Styrene-based resin composition

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL)

Class

Int. Class

Application Number:

Lodged:

Complete Specification Lodged Accepted

Published *

’ Priority ’« * » ,,, Related Art:

This document contains the amendments made under Section 49 and is correct for pr in ting. __

APPLICANT'S REFERENCE: FI-3888(88106) _r Name(s) of Applicant(s):

t ' Idemitsu Kosan Company Limited

Address(es) of Applicant(s):

4» * W <· '

1-1, 3-chome, Marunouchi,

Chiyoda-ku,

Tokyo, , JAPAN.

, Address for Service is:

PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys

367 Collins Street Melbourne 3GOO AUSTRALIA

Complete Specification for the invention entitled:

STYRENE-BASED RESIN COMPOSITION

Our Ref : 118754 POF Code: 93170/47107

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s):

6003q/l - 1 .1 *C»' ft ft · β ft · ft · · » « · · β · ft · 9 ft ft · ft 9 ft ft ft ft 0 ft ft ft ft ft © 9 ft · ft ft · 0 ft ft ft ft ft · ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft β ft ft ft « ft ft 9 ft 9 ft ft * · ft ft · • ft ft ft ft * · ft ft ft «si

STYRENE-BASED RESIN COMPOSITION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a styrene-based resin composition and more particularly to a styrene-based resin composition containing a styrene-based resin having mainly syndiotaotic configuration, a thermoplastic resin other than the styrene-based resin, and a rubber-like polymer, which is excellent in heat resistance and impact resistance.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, thermoplastic resins are excellent in moldability and have sufficiently high stiffness as compared with other materials and thus are used in production of various products, e.g., household articles, electric appliances and machine parts.

The thermoplastic resins, however, have a disadvantage in that heat resistance is not sufficiently high, although they have excellent properties as described above.

The present inventors' group has succeeded in developing styrene-based polymers having a high syndiotacticity and further developed thermoplastic resin compositions containing the above styrene-based polymers (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 104818/1987 and 257950/1987).

In a composition of resins which are inherently not compatible with each other, the strength in the interface of phases is inevitably poor, and thus the effect of improvement by compounding is limited.

- 1A-

<img file="AU609239B2_D0001.tif" />

&lt;·

-2SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resides in a styrene-based resin composition containing (A) a styrene-based resin with syndiotacticity in racemic pentad of at least 30%, (B) a thermoplastic resin other than the styrene-based resin selected from condensation polymers, acrylate polymers, polyolefins and halogen containing polymers, and (C) a rubber-like polymer selected from polymers produced by polymerising vinyl monomers in the presence of polymers io obtained through polymerization of one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate and polyfunctional monomers containing a conjugated diene double bond, as main components.

<img file="AU609239B2_D0002.tif" />

The present invention also relates to a styrene-based resin composition containing the above Components (A) , (B), (C), and (D) an inorganic filler as the main components.

9 0 9 0 0 • a «00« • «0

0« 0

<img file="AU609239B2_D0003.tif" />

« • 0 0 • 0 0

0 *

0 0 0 0 0

9«

<img file="AU609239B2_D0004.tif" />

• —.3¾ β Ο ο © 9 9

Ο ¢4 • 9 β © β Ο

Λ ♦ 9 Ο

0 9« 9 ιίί Ο δ

Ο 9 9 β ο ο

9 9

Ο ο

Ο 0 0

Ο 9 «

90 0 β 0 9 «9 9

Ο 9 0

Ο ο ο β 0 9

90909« Ο ο ο

ο ο ο ο ο Ο ο Ο ο

ο Λ « β Ο 9 ο

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The resin composition of the present invention contains Components (A), (B) and (C) as main components.

Component (A) is a styrene-based resin with mainly syndiotactic configuration. The styrene-based resin with mainly syndiotactic configuration refers to a polymer with mainly stereo structure such that phenyl groups or substituted phenyl groups as side chains are located alternately at opposite positions relative to the main chain composed of carbon-carbon bonds. The tacticity is quantitatively determined by a nuclear magnetic resonance 13 method using a carbon isotope ( C-NMR method). The 13 tacticity as determined by the C-NMR method is indicated m terms of proportions of structural units continuously connected to each other, i.e., a diad in which two structural units are connected to each other, a triad in which three structural units are connected to each other, and a pentad in which five structural units are connected to each other. The styrene-based resin with mainly syndiotactic configuration has syndiotactic configuration such that the proportion in a diad is at least 75% and preferably at least 85%, or the proportion in a pentad (racemi pentad) is at least 30% and preferably at least 50%. The styrene-based resin includes polystyrene, poly(alkylstyrene) , poly(halogeneted styrene), poly( alkoxystyrene ), poly(vinyl benzoate), and their mixtures, and copolymers containing the above polymers as main components.

I

t.

- 3 )

The poly(alkylstyrene) includes polymethylstyrene, polyethylstyrene, polyisopropylstyrene, and poly(tert-butylstyrene). The poly(halogenated styrene) includes polychloroAft 0 ft Oft * eft ft ft o ft 0 ft ft » « ft

Β ο o a ft ft 0 ft β ft ft ft e » a ft a ft a« Ο &amp; ft a o e ft a a a ft « a «β a β β ο o a ό

o ft 9 o ft o ft o a

a a ο « ο o ο o o

&gt; w ο s » β styrene, polybromostyrene, and polyfluorostyrene. The poly(alkoxystyrene) includes polymethoxystyrene and polyethoxystyrene. Of these polymers, polystyrene, poly(pmethylstyrene), poly(m-methylstyrene), poly(p-tertbutylstyrene), poly(p-chlorostyrene), poly(m-chlorostyrene), poly(p-fluorostyrene), and a copolymer of styrene and pmethylstyrene are most preferable.

The styrene-based resin to be used in the present invention is not critical in molecular weight. The weight average molecular weight is preferably at least 10,000, more preferably 50,000 to 5,000,000 and most preferably 100,000 to 3,000,000. The molecular weight distribution is not critical and may be narrow or wide.

The styrene-based resin to be used in the present invention can be produced, for example, by polymerizing a styrene-based monomer (corresponding to the above styrenebased resin) with the use of a catalyst containing a titanium compound, and a condensate of water and trialkylaluminum in the presence of an inert hydrocarbon solvent or in the absence of a solvent ( Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open

No. 187708/1987).

Component (B) is a thermoplastic resin other than Component (A). Various kinds of thermoplastic resins can be used as Component (B) depending upon the purpose of use of

t.';

I

Ο © © © 0 0 β a ο © ο ο © β ο ββ ο Ο

Ο Λ β Ο a © © β © © ο β © α © © β ο © β ο ο ο ο © * β * 0 © β 0 0 ο ββ Q ο α « » ρ ©

Λ Ο Ο

Ο

Λ A « «4 © ©

Ο ©·©««© β 9 e » 4 4» 0 © Ο ©

<img file="AU609239B2_D0005.tif" />

the resin composition. Thermoplastic resins which are not compatible with Component (A) are preferably used as Component (B). Preferred examples of these thermoplastic resins include condensation polymers such as polyester (specifically, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyaryiate, and the like), polycarbonate, polyether (polysulfone, polyethersulfone, and the like), polyamide (nylon 6, nylon 66, and the like) and polyoxymethylene; acrylate polymers such as polyacrylic acid, polyacrylic acid ester and polymethylmethacrylate; polyolefins such as polyethylene (low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and the like), polypropylene, polybutene-1, poly4-methylpentene-l and ethylene-propylene copolymer; and halogen-containing polymers such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride and polyvinylidene fluoride.

Various rubber-like polymers can be used as Component (C). The rubber-like polymers belonging to the following Groups ( I),(II) or (III) are preferred.

Group ( I)

Polymer in Group (I) are rubber-like polymers which are produced by polymerizing vinyl monomers in the presence of polymers obtained through polymerization of one or more monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate and polyfunctional monomers containing a conjugated diene double bond. In the alkyl acrylate and the

- 5 ι '1 e » a c a a a a o e e 4 β « » « 9 β a « © · β a « a © tt alkyl methacrylate, an alkyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms is suitable. Specific examples of the alkyl acrylate and the alkyl methacrylate are ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and n-octyl methacrylate.

Examples of the polyfunctional monomers containing a conjugated diene type double bond are; conjugated diene compounds such as butadiene and isoprene, and compounds containing non-conjugated double bonds, as well as conjugated diene type double bonds, in the molecule thereof. Specific examples are l-methyl-2-vinyl-4,6-heptadiene-l-ol, 7-methyl3-methylene-l,6-octadiene, and 1,3,7-octatriene.

As Component (C), rubber-like polymers which are produced by polymerizing a vinyl monomer in the presence of polymers or copolymers obtained by polymerizing one of the above monomers or by copolymerizing two or more of the above monomers, i.e., graft copolymers of the vinyl monomer to the above polymers or copolymers are used. The vinyl monomer includes aromatic vinyl compounds such as styrene and a methylstyrene, acrylic acid esters such as methyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate, methacrylic acid esters such as methyl methacrylate and ethyl methacrylate, vinyl cyanide compounds such as acrylonirtrile and methacrylonitrile, and vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate and vinyl propionate. One or more of these monomers are graft polymerized.

Polymerization can be carried out by various methods such as bulk polymerization, suspension polymerization and emulsion polymerization. Polymers obtained by emulsion

ί

<img file="AU609239B2_D0006.tif" />

ft ft 0 Φ β β Ο ♦ ρ ft * 6 Φ ΰ « » Φ ο * * « * 0 « Φ

-ά 6 A β ft ft Ο * β ft Β ft ♦ ft β β β β ftft ft ft ftft ft- ft ft ft ftft ft a ft ft * » ® ft ft ft « ft « a β ft o &lt;»»«»« ft ft polymerization are particularly preferred.

Suitable examples of the rubber-like polymers in Group (I) are shown below.

(1) Polymers obtained by polymerizing one or more of vinyl monomers in the presence of polymers containing alkyl acrylate and/or alkyl methacrylate (hereinafter referred to as alkyl-acrylates) as main component.

Polymers containing alkyl acrylates as the main component are polymers obtained by polymerizing 70% or more by weight of alkyl acrylates and 30% or less by weight of other vinyl monomers copolymerizable with the alkyl acrylates, such as methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate and styrene. Polymers obtained by using a suitable amount of a polyfunctional monomers, e.g., divinylbenzene, ethylene dimethacrylate, triallyl cyanurate and triallyl isocyanurate as a cross-linking agent are also included in the above polymers.

A specific example of rubber-like polymers belonging to (1) is an MAS elastomer, obtained by graft polymerizing styrene to a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate in a latex form. Such MAS elastomers are commercially available as EXL-2330 (trade name, produced by Rohm &amp; Haas Co., Ltd., USA), KM-330 (trade name, produced by Rohm &amp; Haas Co., Ltd., USA) and M-101 (trade name, produced by Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.).

(2) Graft polymers obtained by copolymerizing one or more vinyl monomers to copolymers of alkyl acrylate and/or alkyl

f.

- 7 r

0 ft 9 0 0 • «β ft 0 9 « ft « 6 ft 9 ft ft ft · ft ft 9 ft ft ft ©ft • eft * ft β ft « ft · » «» * » ♦ · · «o e ft ft ft ft ft 0 O ft O • 0 ft ft ft ft ® ft ft • ft ft ft ft ft ft

«. ft ft &lt;ft « β ft ft methacrylate and polyfunctional polymerizable monomers containing conjugated diene-type double bonds. In preparation of the graft polymers, as in the case of (1), vinyl monomers and a cross-liking agent can be added.

Specific examples of the rubber-like polymers belonging to (2) are; MABS elastomers, e.g. a graft copolymer obtained by adding styrene and methyl methacrylate to a rubber latex which has been obtained by copolymerizing octyl acrylate and butadiene (7:3) and then graft polymerizing them, and MBS elastomers, e.g. a graft copolymer obtained by adding styrene to a rubber latex which has been obtained by copolymerizing methyl methacrylate and butadiene and graft polymerizing them. As the MBS elastomer, Metablen C-223 (trade name, produced by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.) is commercially available .

(3) Other elastomers include; an AABS elastomer, obtained by adding acrylonitrile and styrene to a rubber latex which has been obtained by copolymerizing butadiene and alkyl acrylate, and then graft polymerizing them, and a SBR elaster (trade name: Metablen IP-2, produced by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.), obtained by graft polymerizing styrene to polybutadiene.

These rubber-like polymers of Group I are core shell type rubbers and are solid rubbers having dispersibility in Component (A).

The particle size of the rubber-like polymer of Group I varies with the purpose of use of the composition or characteristics required therefor and cannot be determined

<img file="AU609239B2_D0007.tif" />

ft ο ο 0 Ο ft ft ft 4 ft « « ft 0 ft

Ο ft ft ft ft ft ©ft» ft a ft * ft β ft ft ft ft « ft ft ft ft* ft ft ft β ft o * ft ft ft ft 0 ft ft ft « ft ft * ft V ft 0 a ft» β

ft β ft ft 9 * ft ft ft ft « «» μ ft ft d a

« ft « ft A ft ft unconditionally. In general, the average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter) of the rubber-like polymer in the composition is 0.1 to 4 ym and preferably 0.2 to 3 pm. Herein, volume average particle diameter (d) is defined by the following equation.

d = Σ cL⁴/ Σ d_±³, wherein d^ stands for a diameter of the i-th particle.

Group (II)

Polymers in Group (II) are rubber-like elastomers comprising one or more copolymers selected from a-b type block copolymers, a-b-a type block copolymers, b-a-b type block copolymers, a crafted b copolymers and b grafted a copolymers .

As portion a of the a-b, a-b-a or b-a-b type block copolymer, atactic polystyrene is preferred. Compatibility of the a-b, a-b-a or b-a-b type block copolymer with the component (A) is markedly high within the preferred range.

As portion b, one or more polymers selected from conjugated diene, hydrogenated product of conjugated diene, conjugated diene modified with acid anhydride and hydrogenated product of conjugated diene modified with acid anhydride can be given. Examples of portion b include butadiene, isoprene, hydrogenated butadiene, hydrogenated isoprene, butadiene modified with maleic anhydride, hydrogenated product of butadiene modified with maleic anhydride, isoprene modified with maleic anhydride and hydrogenated product of isoprene modified with maleic anhydride can be given.

I'.:

ft

I»

- 9 i

Graft copolymers which can be used are indicated in © ft o ft »0 lift ©ftft *

O ©« *» © β ft » « 0 ft « ft ft ft ft ©ft β ft ft ft ft a © ft ft 4 ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft 9 © ©&gt;tf ft β ft ft » O ft V ©ft « * R ft ft © ·» © ft © ft ft ft ft © © ft ft ♦ * 9 a f ft terms of a grafted b copolymers or b grafted a copolymers.

Portion a generally exhibits good affinity (dispersibility) to Component (A) in the block or graft copolymers comprising portions a and b. Examples of such rubber-like polymers are a styrene-butadiene block copolymer rubber (SB, SBS, BSB), rubbers obtained by partially or completely hydrogenating the butadiene portion of a styrenebutadiene block copolymer (SEBS, SEB), a styrene-isoprene block copolymer rubber (SI, SIS, ISI), rubbers obtained by partially or completely hydrogenating the isoprene portion of a styrene-isoprene block copolymer (SEP, SEPS), SBS modified with maleic anhydride, SEBS modified with maleic anhydride, SEP modified with maleic anhydride and SIS modified with maleic anhydride.

Since these copolymers all have the styrene unit, they have good dispersibility in the styrene-based polymers with mainly syndiotactic configuration as Component (A). Thus, physical properties are markedly improved.

When polyolefin, such as LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, polypropylene (PP), polybutene-1 (PB-1) or poly4-methyl pentene-1 is used as thermoplastic resin of Component (B); SBS, SIS, SEBS, SEPS, SB, SI, BSB, ISI or hydrogenated product thereof is suitable as Component (C). The reason for this is that the butadiene, isoprene, ethylene-butylene or ethylene-propylene portion of the rubber-like polymer exhibits good affinity to the polyolefin, and that the is

<img file="AU609239B2_D0008.tif" />

r f i ,

4 « ft ft 4 ft 0 «·»* v 6 4

9 ft 0 © ft * ft 0 ft ft ft β «4 9 ft ft ft

Ο β « ft β ft V ft ft 0 ft ft ft ft ft ft ft 0 ft ft ft ft ft* ft β » ft 9 ft ft ft ft « ft « « 0 ft# # ft » d styrene portion of the rubber-like polymer exhibits good affinity to Component (A¹).

When a thermoplastic resin having at least one polar substituent of an amino group, a carbonyl group and a hydroxy group at terminal position thereof, for example, polyester, polyamide and polycarbonate is used as Component (B), maleated SBS (SBS modified with maleic anhydride), maleated SEBS, maleated SEP or maleated SIS is suitable as Component (C). The reason for this that the maleated butadiene, maleated isoprene, maleated ethylene-butadiene or maleated ethylene-propylene portion of the rubber-like polymer has polarity and thus exhibits good affinity to the thermoplastic resin having the polar substituent, and that the styrene portion has good affinity to Component (A).

Group ( III)

Rubber-like polymers such as natural rubber, polybytadiene, polyisoprene, polyisobutylene, neoprene, ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber (EPR), ethylenepropylene-diene methylene linkage copolymer rubber (EPDM), polysulfide rubber, thiokol rubber, acryl rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, polyetherester rubber, and polyesterester rubber. These rubbers are not compatible with the styrene-based polymers having mainly syndiotaotic configuration as Component (A). They are preferably used depending on the purpose of use of the resin composition of the present invention.

When polyolefin, such as LDPE, LLDPE, HOPE, PP, PB-1 or ft ft ft ft Β β t&gt; ft ft a ft ft λ l&gt; o ft ft ft ft ftftei ft ft &lt;ft ft •a «»ft ft -? fc ft ** ft « 0 ft - ft ft e« ft ft uft ft ft e ftft « e ft © ο ν ώ

«SOftft 0 9 ft o ft ft ·» 6 »a ft ft a 9 ft $« ©&lt;S ft ft ΰ ft poly4-methylpentene-l is used as Component (B), EPR or EPDM is preferably used as rubber-like polymer of Group III.

Rubber-like polymers to be used as Component (C) can be divided into the above groups (I) to (III). However, it is to be noted that the groups are not strictly divided and partially overlap with each other. One or more rubber-like polymers are used. More specifically, depending on the purpose of use of the resin composition and characteristics required, two or more rubber-like polymers selected from the same group can be used in combination, or two or more rubberlike polymers selected from different groups can be used in combination.

The proportion of Component (A), (B) or (C) in the composition of the present invention is not critical and can be determined appropriately depending on the type of Component (B) or (C), the purpose of use of the composition, characteristics required therefor, and so forth. The composition usually comprises 2 to 98% by weight of Component (A) and 98 to 2% by weight of the total of Components (B) and (C), and preferably 10 to 95% by weight of Component (A) and 90 to 5% by weight of the total of Components (B) and (C).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the composition contains (D) an inorganic filler as well as Components (A), (B) and (C). The inorganic filler may be fibrous, granular or powder in the form. Examples of the fibrous filler are glass fiber, carbon fiber,, and alumna fiber. Of these fiber, glass fiber and carbon fiber are

S’ t* « * * 1 ♦ » * r * I »

&lt; I * * • I * t ► * I t T * it

I *- ♦ * » e i i t i * t t tt t t ft t * If *♦ 4

I I « f *

» H 4 i· t * *

9 « I # U « j.

© «# -9 © «

<img file="AU609239B2_D0009.tif" />

particularly preferred. The shape of the glass fiber is cloth-like, mat-like, strand-like, short fiber-like, and filament-like. Of these fibers, strand-like glass fiber having a length of 0.05 to 13 mm and a fiber diameter of 5 to 15 m is preferred. Most preferable is the strand-like glass fiber subjected to silane treatment.

As the carbon fiber, polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based fiber is preferred. Bundles of the chopped PAN fiber with a length of about 3 mm and a diameter of 7 to 15 μ m are more preferable.

Examples of granular or powder inorganic fillers are talc, carbon black, graphite, titanium dioxide, silica, mica, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, barium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, barium sulfate, oxysulfate, tin oxide, alumina, kaolin, silicon carbide, and metal powder. Of these fillers, titanium dioxide is most preferable. The crystal form of titanium dioxide is rutile, brucite or anatase. Titanium dioxide of the rutile or anatase structure, having an average particle diameter of 0.15 to 0.40 Pm is preferred. It may be treated with Zn, Al,

Si and the like.

In cases where Component (D) is added, the proportion of Component (A), (B) or (C) can be chosen from a wide range. More specifically, the proportion of Component (A) in the composition is 1 to 98% by weight, preferably 5 to 98% by Weight and most preferably 10 to 95% by weight, the total proportion of Components (B) and (C) is 1 to 98% by weight,

-ή¹' •i 'ί ί

.1 »

<img file="AU609239B2_D0010.tif" />

Q © ο Q ο ο ο ο

9« 0 ο © ϋ a © ©«© ©

Ο©©®

Ο © © t&gt; f © «a© ©

Q©

O© © © © °* © &amp; © © ® Z © ©

O &amp;&lt;tt

O β® GP3 © ό

Φ 0 $ &gt; 6 Z ·« « Oq.

© preferably 3 to 95% by weight and most preferable 5 to 90% by weight. The proportion of Component (D) is 1 to 60% by weight, preferably 2 to 55% by weight and most preferably 3 to 50% by weight..

The composition of the present invention is essentially composed of Components (A), (B) and (C), or Components (A), (B), (C) and (D). If necessary, various additives such as a nucleating agent, an antioxidant, a plasticizer, an ultraviolet ray inhibitor, a lubricant, a coloring agent, an antistatic agent, a thermal stabilizer, a flame retardant and the like can be added.

The composition of the present invention can be prepared by compounding Components (A), (B) and (C), and other components if necessary, and kneading the resulting mixture at a suitable temperature, e.g., 270 to 320 °C. Compounding and kneading can be carried out by usual methods. More specifically, the melt kneading method using a kneader, a mixing roll, an extruder, a Vanbury mixer, a Henschel mixer and kneading roll, or the solution blending method can be employed.

The styrene-based resin composition of the present invention is excellent in heat resistance and at same time, in physical properties such as impact resistance, stiffness, tensile strength, and modulus in tension.

The styrene-based resin composition of the present invention is expected to be widely used as an industrial material for which heat resistance and various physical

a

0 ο ο ο ο ο ο ο ο ο ο ό ο Ο

Ο ο ο ο ο ο β ο β

0 ο ο ο ο ο ο ο ο ο Ο Ο ο ο ο ο ο ο

Ο 0 0

Ο fit ο 0 β ο 0 ® ο ο β ο ο ό ο 0

Ο 0 0 properties are required, particularly as raw material for injection molding or extrusion molding.

The present invention is described in greater detail with reference to the following examples.

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 1 (Preparation of Polystyrene having Syndiotactic Configuration)

L (L=liter) of toluene as a solvent, and 5 mmol of tetraethoxytitanium and 500 mmol (as aluminum atom) of methylaluminoxane as catalyst components were placed in a reactor, and 15 L of styrene was introduced thereinto and polymerized for 4 hours at 50 °C.

After the completion of polymerization, the reaction product was washed with a mixture of hydrochloric acid and methanol to decompose and remove the catalyst components, and then dried to obtain 2.5 kg of a styrene polymer (polystyrene). The polymer was subjected to Soxhlet extraction using methyl ethyl ketone as a solvent to obtain

95% by weight of an extraction residue. The weight average 13 molecular weight of the polymer was 800,000. A C-NMR analysis (solvent: 1,2-dichlorobenzene) showed an absorption at 145.35 ppm, ascribable to the syndiotactic configuration,, and the syndiotacticity indicated in terms of racemi pentad as calculated from the peak area was 96%.

EXAMPLE 1

100 parts by weight of a mixture consisting of 66.7% by weight of the polystyrene having syndiotactic configuration as obtained in Reference Example 1, 28.6% by weight of linear low

<img file="AU609239B2_D0011.tif" />

1’ *β Q Ο Ο Ο ο ο ο

Ο ©Λ © ο ο

0005 ο ©β© β ο » « ο ο 0 0 Ο Ο ο ο Ο© ο © ο β β ο

Ο Οίϊ

Ο Ο Ο Ο ο ο ο ο © ό φ 9» © © © ο β β ο

© ©0Ο»θ Ο ο

9 9«)» Ο © 0

<img file="AU609239B2_D0012.tif" />

density polyethylene (trade name: Idemitsu Polyethylene L1014D, produced by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) as a thermoplastic resin, and 4.7% by weight of a styrenehydrogenated butadiene block copolymer (trade name: G1652, produced by Shell Chemical Co., Ltd.) were kneaded in a single-screw extruder having an inner diameter of 25 mm and injection molded by the use of a minimat molding machine to form a test piece, which was then measured for mechanical strength. The Vicat softening temperature was measured according to JIS-K7206. The results are shown in Table 1.

EXAMPLE 2

The procedure of Example 1 was repeated with the exception that a mixture of 66.7% by weight of the polystyrene having syndiotactic configuration, 28.6% by weight of high density polyethylene (trade name: Idemitsu Polyethylene 110J, produced by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) as a thermoplastic resin and 4.7% by weight of a styrenehydrogenated butadiene block copolymer (trade name: G-1652, produced by Shell Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer was used. The results are shown in Table 1.

EXAMPLE 3

The procedure of Example 1 was repeated with the exception that a mixture of 69.3% by weight of the polystyrene having syndiotactic configuration, 29.7% by weight of polypropylene (trade name: Idemitsu Polypropylene J-700G, produced by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) as a thermoplastic resin and 1.0% by weight of a styrene- 16 ^3* hydrogenated butadiene block copolymer (trade name:

G-1652, produced by Shell Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer was used. The results are shown in Table 1.

Table 1

Modulus

Izod Impact

Vicat

<td></td><td> No .</td><td></td><td> in Tension ( kg/cm^{* 2} )</td><td> Tensile Strength (kg/cm²)</td><td> Strength ( notched) ( kg.cm/cm)</td><td> Softening Temperature ( °C)</td>

<td> 0 0 ft &amp; e ft o Oft</td><td> Example</td><td> 1</td><td> 22000</td><td> 560</td><td> 5.2</td><td> 215</td>

<td> ft Q ft ft ft ft β β· β β</td><td> Example</td><td> 2</td><td> 28000</td><td> 538</td><td> 6.7</td><td> 230</td>

<td> O ft ft ft ft ftft ft ft</td><td> Example</td><td> 3</td><td> 28000</td><td> 529</td><td> 3.0</td><td> 215</td>

Ο 0 0 β © D « ©ft

Oft ο ft ο ο ftft « β · « &gt; ft ft ft β ft ft * ί ft ft ft ft ί «ftft© Oft

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 2 (Production of Polystyrene having Mainly Syndiotactic

Cionfiguration)

L of toluene as a solvent, and 5 mmol of tetraethoxytitanium and 500 mmol (as aluminum atom) of methylaluminoxane as catalyst components were placed in a reactor, and 15 L of styrene was introduced thereinto and polymerized for 4 hours at

55°C.

After the completion of polymerization, the reaction product was washed with a mixture of hydrochloric acid and methanol to decompose and remove the catalyst components, and then dried to obtain 2.5 kg of a styrene polymer (polystyrene). The polymer was subjected to Soxhlet extraction using methyl ethyl ketone as a solvent to obtain 97% by weight of an extraction residue. The weight average molecular weight of the 13 extraction residue was 400,000. A C-NMR analysis (solvent:

1,2-dichlorobenzene) of the polymer showed an absorption at' 145.35 ppm, ascribable to the syndiotactic configuration, and the syndiotacticity indicated in terms of racemi pentad as calculated .from the peak area was 98%.

Example 4

SO A

GO β OO

0 0 O a o

6 0

4 0 O O

4 0 » »9

9 S

0 0

8 0

G Ο β φ 0 0

0 0 0 « Ο Ο • ® 9 • 0 »

9 a

9 9 ooo soo parts of weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 2, 25 parts by weight of block polypropylene (trade name; Idemitsu Polypro J785H, produced by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.,) having melt index of 10 g/10 min. and containing 15% by weight of EPR rubber as a thermoplastic resin, and 15 parts by weight of SEP (trade name; Kraton GX-1701, produced by Shell Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer were kneaded in a singlescrew extruder having an inner diameter of 20 mm at the temperature of 290 °C and pelletized. The pellets were injection-molded by an injection-molder MIN-7 produced by Niigata Tekko Co., Ltd. The Izod impact strength according to JIS-K7110, the tensile strength according to JIS-K7203 and the Vicat softening point according to JIS-K7206 were measured.

The results are shown in Table 2.

Example 5

The procedure of Example 4 was repeated with £he exception that 50 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 2, ,50 parts by weight of block polypropylene (trade name; Idemitsu ο ο ο ο ο β ο 0 ©

8 0 0 ΰ ο β » Ο ft ο ♦ « ο 0 ©000

Μ » 0 Ο

Ο «0 α β β 0 0 0 «0

0·· • * 9

0 0 » 0 0

0 Ο ο »α ο

« 9 « 9 0 Ο Ο β

e s β o β ο ο

Polypro J785H, produced by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) having melt index of 10 g/10 min. and containing 15% by weight of EPR rubber as a thermoplastic resin, and 15 parts by weight of SEP (trade name; Kraton GX-1701, produced by Shell Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer were used. The results are shown in Table 2.

Comparative Example 1 '

The procedure of Example 4 was repeated with the exception that 100 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 2, and 15 parts by weight of SEP (trade name; Kraton GX-1701, produced by Shell Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer were used and a block polypropylene as a thermoplastic resin was not used. The results are shown in Table 2.

Comparative Example 2

The procedure of Example 4 was repeated with the exception that 50 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 2 and 50 parts by weight of the block polypropylene (trade name; Idemitsu Polypro J785H) as a thermoplastic resin were used and a rubber-like polymer was not used. The results are shown in

Table 2.

Example 6 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 2, 25 parts by weight of block polypropylene (trade name; Idemitsu Polypro J785H, produced by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) having melt index of 10 g/10 min- and containing 15% by weight

<img file="AU609239B2_D0013.tif" />

0 o 4 4 9

9 4

9 9 O 4 »49 9 • 9 »0 β

9 9 9

9 β

9 #

Ο 0 4

0 β « 0 0 β 4 ♦ · » * « « »t 9

0 4 « 4

9 β « »»' « « 0 • 0 β

Φ 0 4 β « « » 0 « * « ♦ 9 9 β * 4 of EPR rubber as a thermoplastic resin, and 15 parts by weight of SIS (trade name; Kraton D-llll, produced by Shell Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer and 1.15 parts of the Sumilizer GM produced by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. as an antioxidant were kneaded in a single-screw extruder having an inner diameter of 20 mm at the temperature of 280 °C and pelletized. The procedure of Example 4 was repeated. The results are shown in Table 2.

Example 7

The procedure of Example 6 was repeated with the exception that 50 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 2, 50 parts by weight of block polypropylene (trade name; Idemitsu Polypro J785H, produced by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) having melt index of 10 g/10 min. and containing 15% by weight of EPR rubber as thermoplastic resin, and 15 parts by weight of SIS (trade name; Kraton D-llll, produced by Shell Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer and 1.15 parts of the Sumilizer GM produced by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. as an antioxidant were used. The results are shown in Table 2.

Example 8

The procedure of Example 6 was repeated with the exception that 25 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 2, 75 parts by weight of block polypropylene (trade name; Idemitsu Polypro J785H, produced by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.)

<img file="AU609239B2_D0014.tif" />

ββ a 6 tr 0 o a a ft « « o β a tta a a e e»« o a ft a » ft &amp;« β a a © a a a «* a 9 «a a » ·

0«» a a * *» a a ο» ft o a » a a a

ft ft ft ft ft 0 0

O

O * ft ft M ft a ft ft ft ft « a « « a having melt index of 10 g/10 min. and containing 15% by weight of EPR rubber as thermoplastic resin, and 15 parts by weight of SIS (trade name; Kraton D-llll produced by Shell Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer and 1.15 parts of the Sumilizer GM produced by Sumitomo Chemical Co., ltd. as an antioxidant were used. The results are shown in Table 2.

Example 9

The procedure of Example 6 was repeated with the exception that 75 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 2, 25 parts by weight of block polypropylene (trade name; Idemitsu Polypro J785H, produced by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) having melt index of 10 g/10 min. and containing 15% by weight of EPR rubber as thermoplastic resin, and 15 parts by weight of SEBS (trade name; Kraton G-1650, produced by Shell Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer were used. The results are shown in Table 2.

Example 10

82.7 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 2,

17.3 parts by weight of linear low density polyethelene (trade name; Idemitsu Moatec 0138N produced by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) as a thermoplastic resin and 7.7 parts by weight of SEBS (trade name; Kraton G-1650, produced by Shell Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer were kneaded in a twinscrew extruder having an inner diameter of 20 mm at the temperature of 290°C and pelletized. The pellets were injection-molded by an injection-molder MIN-7 produced by

Niigata Tekko Co., Ltd. The Izod impact strength according to

JIS-K7110, the tensile strength according to JIS-K7113, and the

Vicat softening point according to JIS-K7206 were measured.

The results are shown in Table 3.

Comparative Example 3

The procedure of Example 10 was repeated with the exception that 82.7 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example ft ft ft ft ft ft * *' 3 and 17.3 parts by weight of the linear low density ι * r &lt;

&lt; «

<td colspan="2"> * in » »&lt; « «</td><td colspan="3"> polyethelene (trade name? Idemitsu 1</td><td> Moatec 0138N,</td><td> produced by</td>

<td> «tit ft t ♦ r</td><td> ft ft</td><td colspan="2"> Idemitsu Petrochemical</td><td colspan="2"> Co., Ltd.) were used and</td><td> the SEBS was</td>

<td> ♦ t » * &lt; « f</td><td> i I ft ft</td><td> not used. The</td><td> results</td><td> are shown in</td><td> Table 3.</td><td></td>

<td> &gt; r i » r</td><td> ft</td><td></td><td></td><td> Table 2</td><td></td><td></td>

<td> ft # • * t ·</td><td> ft «</td><td></td><td> Modulus</td><td></td><td> Izod Impact</td><td> Vicat</td>

<td> &lt; ft</td><td> *</td><td></td><td> in</td><td> Tensile</td><td> Strength</td><td> Softening</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td> Tension</td><td> Strength</td><td> ( notched )</td><td> Temperature</td>

<td> ♦ » ft ·· ft</td><td> « ί</td><td> No.</td><td> (kg/cm²)</td><td> (kg/cm² )</td><td> (kg·cm/cm)</td><td> ( °C)</td>

<td></td><td></td><td> Example 4</td><td> 21000</td><td> 430</td><td> 8.6</td><td> 152</td>

<td> I ft « ft ft</td><td> » β » ft</td><td> Example 5</td><td> 17000</td><td> 370</td><td> 8.5</td><td> 140</td>

<td> » ft · O</td><td> » • · '</td><td> Comparative</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td> ft</td><td> ft</td><td> Example 1</td><td> 31000</td><td> 780</td><td> 2.3</td><td> 245</td>

<td></td><td></td><td> Comparative Example 2</td><td> 20000</td><td> 350</td><td> 1.8</td><td> 138</td>

<td></td><td></td><td> Example 6</td><td> 20000</td><td> 410</td><td> 6.1</td><td> 167</td>

<td></td><td></td><td> Example 7</td><td> 15000</td><td> 330</td><td> 8.2</td><td> 142</td>

<td></td><td></td><td> Example 8</td><td> 12000</td><td> 270</td><td> 5.2</td><td> 142</td>

<td></td><td></td><td> Example 9</td><td> 23000</td><td> 560</td><td> 4.8</td><td> 158</td>

- 22 1 (,1 yr·

Β*

<img file="AU609239B2_D0015.tif" />

0© Q ft ft 0 ft ft ft ft ft 0 ft ft o ft» ft 0 ft ft eo ft e ft β ft ft ft ft ft ft o » »&lt;» ft ft ft » ft ft ft fr ft ft ft ft ft « ft ft ft ft e « ft s ft ft ft 8 &amp; ©ft ft » ft »

ft β»ft« « © « ft • ft

Table 3

<td> No.</td><td> Elongation at Breakage (%)</td><td> Izod Impact Strength ( notched ) ( kg·cm/cm²)</td><td> Vicat Softening Temperature ( °C)</td>

<td> Example 10</td><td> 6.4</td><td> 3.1</td><td> 227</td>

<td> Comparative</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td> Example 3</td><td> 2.3</td><td> 1.8</td><td> 230</td>

Example 11 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 2, 70 parts by weight of Nylon 66 (trade name; UBE Nylon 2023, produced by Ube Kosan Co., Ltd.) as a thermoplastic resin, and 20 parts by weight of SEBS modified with maleic acid ( trade name; Kraton FG1901X, produced by Shell Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer were kneaded in a twin-screw extruder having an inner diameter of 20 mm at the temperatur of 300 °C and pelletized. The pellets were injection-molded by an injection-molder MIN-7 produced by Niigata Tekko Co., Ltd..

The Izod impact strength was measured according to JIS-K7110. After the test piece for the Izod impact strength was completely soaked and boiled in a boiling water for 8 hours, weight change rate was measured. The results are shown in

Table 4.

Comparative Example 4

The procedure of Example 11 was repeated with the exception that 100 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotaotic configuration obtained in Reference

Example 2 and 20 parts by weight of SEBS modified with maleic acid (trade name; Kraton FG1901X, produced by Shell Chemical

Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer were used and Nylon 66 was not used. The results are shown in Table 4.

Comparative Example 5 ft ft ft . .......

© 0

2,,*’ Only Nylon 66 (UBE Nylon 2023, produced by Ube Kosan Co., ft Λ

A « Λ 0 «««» Ltd.) was injection-molded. The evaluation of Example 11 was ·

o » « © //% repeated. The results are shown in Table 4.

ft ftft ft ft β ft ft ft p ft ft ft ft ft β ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft 6 «ft ft ft a β » « © « ft β i

I

<img file="AU609239B2_D0016.tif" />

i ϋ * 'Λ » ,

Table 4

<img file="AU609239B2_D0017.tif" />

I ft « τ » ι &lt; ί τ t * t ( t ί t I J t t t * * i ««If t t &lt; i r i t » · « &lt; » &lt; t » r ♦ · i t τ » it» «* ft ft T ft t ft &lt;

r ft«

I f » * ft ft * * ft ft ft ft ft ft • ft ft ft ft ft » · β ft ft

No,

Example 11

Comparative Example 4

Comparative Example 5

Izod impact Strength (notched, room temperature) ( kg·cm/cm²) . * 1 Ratio of

Weight

Change (%)

13.5 + 3.1

2.1

5.0 + 1.5 + 8.1 *1 Ratio of Weight change (%) = weight of test piece _ weight of test piece

100 _χ _after soakage (g)_before soakage (g) weight of test piece before soakage (g)

Example 12 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 2, 30 parts by weight of Polyalylate produced by Du Pont Co., Ltd. as a thermoplastic resin and 14 parts by weight of MBS rubber (trade name; Metablen IP-13, produced by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer were kneaded in a single-screw extruder having an inner diameter of 20 mm at the temperature of 300 °C and pelletized. The pellets were injection-molded by an injection-molder MIN-7 produced by Niigata Tekko Co., Ltd.. The tensile strength according to JIS-K7203 and the heat distortion temperature according to JIS-K7270 were measured.

The results are shown in Table 5.

- 25 3

Comparative Example 6

The procedure of Example 12 was repeated with the exception that 80 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 2 and 20 parts by weight of MBS rubber (trade name; Metablen IP-13, produced by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer were used and polyarylate was not used.

The results are shown in Table 5.

Comparative Example 7

The procedure of Example 12 was repeated with the exception that only Polyarylate produced by Du Pont Co., Ltd. was injection-molded. The results are shown in Table 5.

Table 5

- :· _{? t} -&lt;-----&lt;—&lt;-&lt;---·-C t ft t t $

<td colspan="2"> C ί * c ς 1 ft € t</td><td rowspan="2"> Modulus in Tension (kgf/cm² )</td><td rowspan="2"> Heat Distortion Temperature (low load) ( °C)</td><td rowspan="2"> Vicat Softening Temperature ( °C)</td>

<td> ft G ?, C 1 t ft t f</td><td> No .</td>

<td></td><td> Example 12</td><td> 28500</td><td> 165</td><td> 240</td>

<td> ft * t « « » i ft ft ♦</td><td> Comparative Example 6</td><td> 27000</td><td> 110</td><td> 255</td>

<td> tilt*» ( «</td><td> Comparative Example 7</td><td> 23000</td><td> 180</td><td> 190</td>

<td></td><td> REFERENCE EXAMPLE</td><td> 3</td><td></td><td></td>

(Production of Polystyrene having Mainly Syndiotactic Configuration )

L of toluene as a solvent, and 1 mmol of ft Ο © β © β ft GO ft 9ft ft β Ο ft ft « 9 ft ft *’ ft ft ft e&gt; ft ft ft ft ft © ft * ft * ft ft ft 0 ft ft ft ft ft « « ft ft 9 ft ft ft ft* 0 « ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft • ft ft ft ft ft * ft ft ft ft · ft ft &amp; » ft *

o a 9 ft ft » « ft cyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride and 0.8 mol (as aluminum atom) of methylaluminoxane as catalyst components were placed in a reactor, and 3.6 L of styrene was added and polymerized at 20'C for one hour. After the completion of polymerization, the reaction product was washed with a mixture of hydrochloric acid and methanol to decompose and remove the catalyst components, and then dried to obtain 330 g of a polymer.

This polymer was subjected to Soxhlet extraction using methyl ethyl ketone as a solvent to obtain 95% by weight of an extraction residue. The polymer (extraction residue) had a weight average molecular weight of 290,000, a number average molecular weight of 158,000 and a melting point of 270°C. A 13

C-NMR analysis of the polymer showed an absorption at 145.35 ppm, ascribable to the syndiotactic structure, and the syndiotacticity indicated in terms of pentad as calculated from the peak area was 96%.

Example 13 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 3, 25 parts by weight of block polypropylene (trade name; Idemitsu Polypro J785H, produced by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) having melt index of g/10 min. and containing 15% by weight of EPR rubber as a thermoplastic resin, 5 parts by weight of SIS (trade name; Kraton D-llll) as a rubber-like polymer, 0.5 parts by weight of Sumilizer GM produced Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. as an antioxidant and 45 parts by weight of glass fiber having an average fiber length of 3 mm (produced by

<img file="AU609239B2_D0018.tif" />

-g ικ * »4 0 * 9 ft © Ϊ, » « te * © ft ft «««ft ft ««ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft « ft ft ft 9 ft ft' ft ft ft ft » ft * ftft « ft ft ft « ftft ftft ft « ft ft ft ft « » ftft ft a a « a « ft ft «

« ♦ β « &lt; © ft » ft ftft ft ft ft ft ft

Asahi Fiberglass Co., Ltd., fiber diameter: 10 to 15 mm, chopped strand form) were dry blended, and then kneaded in an extruder and pelletized to form a test piece, which was them measured for mechanical strength and the heat distortion temperature (high load). The results are shown in Table 6. Example 14

The procedure of Example 13 was repeated with the exception that 50 parts by weight of the polystyrene having mainly syndiotactic configuration obtained in Reference Example 3, 50 parts by weight of block polypropylene (trade name; Idemitsu Polypro I785H, produced by Idemitsu

Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) having melt index of 10 g/10 min. and containing 15% by weight of EPR rubber as thermoplastic resin, 5 parts by weight of SEP (trade name; Kraton GX-1701, produced by Shell Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a rubber-like polymer, and 45 parts by weight of glass fiber having an average fiber length of 3 mm produced Asahi Fiberglass Co., Ltd. were used. The results are shown in Table 6.

Comparative Example 8

The procedure of Example 13 was repeated with the exception that 70 parts by weight of block polypropylene (trade name; Idemitsu Polypro J785H, produced by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) having melt index of g/10 min. and containing 15% by weight of EPR rubber as a thermoplastic resin, and 30 parts by weight of glass fiber having an average fiber length of 3 mm produced by Asahi Fiberglass Co., Ltd. were used and the polystyrene having syndiotactic configuration and a rubber-like polymer were not used. The results are shown in Table 6.

Table 6

<td> No .</td><td> Modulus in Tension (kgf/cm²)</td><td> Tensile Strength (kgf/cm²)</td><td> Heat Distortion Temperature ( °C)</td>

<td> Example 13,</td><td> 93000</td><td> 1300</td><td> 210</td>

<td> .«ft t τ * * ϊ</td><td> Example 14</td><td> 73000</td><td> 1200</td><td> 170</td>

<td> t t *5 t e * f e t</td><td> Comparative</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td> ?g« ».</td><td> Example 8</td><td> 52000</td><td> 1100</td><td> 151</td>

- ft

A u ft t J U t t T * ♦

I * ♦ 4 «ft * ft ft ft ft * ft » β β

<img file="AU609239B2_D0019.tif" />

<img file="AU609239B2_D0020.tif" />

i

<img file="AU609239B2_D0021.tif" />

i